Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 18609Threat to commit criminal damage · Co. Donegal · 7 Jun 2023

Convoy man fined for threatening to burn neighbour's house

On June 7, 2023, Arnold Boyce, a 52-year-old man, threatened to burn down the house of his neighbour Jean Harkin at Townspark in Convoy, County Donegal, and gardaí attended the scene at 9.20pm. Boyce was charged under Section 3 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991 and appeared at Letterkenny District Court, where his defence said the threat was made after drink and never intended. The court report published on January 16, 2024 says he was fined a total of €350 with six months to pay, and legal aid was granted.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced16 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Arnold Boyce threatened to burn down the house of his neighbours.
Where
The house is at Townspark in Convoy, County Donegal.
When
  • Gardaí received a report of a dispute between neighbours in Convoy on June 7, 2023.
  • The court report of the sentencing was published on January 16, 2024.
Investigation
Gardaí attended the scene at 9.20pm and found Boyce leaving his address with his fists clenched.
Other details
  • Boyce told gardaí at the scene that he would be back and would torch the house; the court report describes this as a threat made to a Garda.
  • The victim is named in the key facts as Jean Harkin, a neighbour of Boyce.
Charges
Boyce was charged under Section 3 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991 with making threats to burn down a house.
In court
  • Boyce appeared at Letterkenny District Court.
  • The defence said Boyce had drink taken and never intended to carry out the threat.
  • The judge described the incident as a most serious matter.
Sentence
  • Boyce was fined €350 with six months to pay.
  • Legal aid was granted to Boyce.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBoyce threatened to burn his neighbours' house down. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe threat concerned a house at Townspark in Convoy. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenGardaí received a report of a dispute between neighbours in Convoy on June 7, 2023. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí attended the scene at 9.20pm and found Boyce leaving his address with his fists clenched. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeBoyce was charged under Section 3 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe defence said Boyce had drink taken and never intended to carry out the threat. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the incident as a most serious matter. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceBoyce was fined €350, with six months to pay, and legal aid was granted. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherBoyce said to gardaí that he would be back and would torch the house. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Jan2024
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Convoy man in court over threat to burn neighbour’s house

    Court report of the sentencing: Boyce was fined €350 and given six months to pay. The article gives the incident date as June 7, 2023 and the threat as made to a Garda at the scene.

    convicted, Arnold Boyce, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Arnold Boycevictim, Jean Harkin, irish (judged from name)Jean Harkin